Horizontal bearing for gyroscopes



E. A. SPERRY. JR

HORIZONTAL BEARING FOR GYROSCOPES Filed Oct. 12, 1916 ELMER A. SPERRY,JR.

Patented Apr. 17, 1923. I l

UNITED STATES PATENT" OF ICE.

ELMER A. SPERRY, 33., or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

HORIZONTAL BEARING Ion GYRosooPEs. Application filed: ctob'er12, 916.Serial in). 125,169. c

To aZZ whom it may concern: I partly in section, at right angles to theposi- Be it known that I, ELMERAA. Srnnnr, Jr., tion shown in Fig. 1. 1

a citizen of the United States of America, 3 is a view of one of thebearing residing at 1505 AlbermarleRoad, Brookplates, being a sectiontaken approximately I lyn, in the county of Kings and State of on line33 of Fig. 2.

New York, have invented certain new and Fig. 4 is a view of another ofthe bearing useful Improvements in Horizontal 'Bearplates takenapproximately on line 4-4, ings for Gyroscopes, of which the followingFig. 2. is a specification. The torpedo shell is represented at 1,-with-10 This invention relates to steering gyroin which the detachablegyroscopio unitQ scopes for torpedoes and other gyroscopic issupportedin the usual manner. ,The gyapparatus which is supported'for oscillationroscope is shown as provided with the usual about a horizontal axis andits main object is spinning up and locking mechanism 21,- to improveupon existing methods of 'supwhich, it will be understood, is withdrawn16 porting such gyroscopes about theirhoriupon the launching of thetorpedo." The zontal axes. frame3ofthe gyroscope contains the usualWhile considerable attention has been vertical bearings 4 "and 5, withinwhich is given in this art to eliminating friction rotatably supportedthe vertical ring ,6 of about the vertical axis of the gyroscope, thegyroscope or a member equivalent thereprior workers in the art have notapprecito. Within said vertical ring upon a norated the importance ofeliminating all'fricmallv horizontal axis is supported the rotor tionabout the horizontal axis. v 1 bearing frame 7, within which the rotor 8is I find, however, that it is, if anything, mounted on horizontalspinning axis 9 at more important to eliminate friction about rightangles to said other horizontal axis. 2 the horizontal axis ofsupportthan'about the The bearing frame 7, which in thisinvertical,since, if the torpedo should pitch, a stance is shown as aring, is pivotally conor turn from an inclined to a horizontal runnectedto ring 6 by means of knife edge bearning position, a torque would beexerted ings 10 and 11. Preferably one or both of about the horizontalaxis of support, unless these bearings is made with a plurality of 30such support were frictionless, which would oppositely pointedknife-edges with correcause precession of the gyroscope about itssponding bearing plates therefor so that sudvertical axis and animmediate and permaden movements of the torpedo will neither nentdeviation of the torpedo from its course. throw the knife-edges off ofthe bearing Both ball bearings and plain bearings have plates, nor.cause friction. Theknife-edges been used as a means of support aboutsaid 12 and 13 are shown as attached to, or formhorizontal axis, but Ifind both types uning a part of a projecting arm 14. on ring 7. suitedto my purpose, since, although, ball Knife 12 points downwardly andserves to hearings will run with little friction at high support theweight of the gyroscope. Knife speeds they are liable to stick whenturned 13 on the other hand is oppositely pointed through a small anglefrom a position of and holds knife-edge 12 in place. rest. The same istrue regarding plain The bearing plates 15 and 16 for the two hearingsto an even greater extent. Accordknife-edges are secured to ring 6 andare ing to my invention I employ a special form provided with cut awayportions 17 and 18 of knife edge support for said horizontal withinwhich the knife-edges rest. The 45 axis, whereby friction is reduced toa knife 18 may be more tapering than knife minimum. 12, since itsupports no weight.

Referring to the drawings in which, what In order to take up end play, Imay also I now consider to be the preferred form of provide small pins19, 19' secured in a plate my invention is shown, Fig. 1 is a section of20 and bearing against the ends of projec- 50 a small portion of thetorpedo with the steertions 14, in line with the knife edges.

ing gyroscope therein contained. The bearings above described, ifcarefully Fig. 2 is an elevation of the gyroscope ground, operate withfar less friction than consider to represent the .bestembodimentthereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown isonlyill-ustrative and that the invention can be carried out by othermeans.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desireto secure byLetters"Pat-' ent=isz v 1. In combmation, a;-gyroscope oompr1singa'rotor, a rotor bearing frame, a support- 111g ring, and a bearingincluding [an upwardly polnted knife edge carried by said frame forsupporting the frame in said ring.

- 2. In combination, a gyroscope comprising a rotor, a rotorbearingframe, a vertical rmm'anda normall r horizontal-knife ed ebearing-for supportizng the frame "from said' ring, including oppositelypointed j knife edges and bearing plates therefor.

3. In combination, a gyroscope comprising a rotor, a rotor bearingframe, a clownwardly-and an upwardly pointed knife edge thereon, and-bear1ng.,plates for said knife edges.

. 4. In combination, a gyroscope compris mg a rotor, a rotor bearingframe, a r s l gi supand differently pointed knife edges and bearingplates therefor for, supporting the frame from said ring.

5. In combination. a gyroscopic rotor, a bearing frame therefor, asupporting mem her for said frame andmeans comprising a knife edgebearing and a cooperating bearing member for preventing upwarddisplacement of said frame with respect to said member.

6. In combination, a gyroscopicrotor. a bearing frame therefor, asupporting memher and means comprising a plurality of angul'arlydisposed wedge-shaped elements associated. with each of opposite sidesof said frame pivotally connecting said frame and ,member.

7. In combination, a gyroscopic rotor, a bearing frame therefor, asupportingmember and means com-prising a plurality of op- 4 positelypointing elements pivotally connect 111;; said frame and member forpreventing displacement of said frame relative to said member incorrespondingly opposite dircr tions.

z 8. In combination, agyroscopic roton; a bearing frame therefor. asupporting. member and meansromprising; a plurality of oppositelypointing- .wedgeshapedelements pivotally connecting said frame andmember fo-ripreventingr displacement of said frame relative to sa dmember in correspondingly opposite directions.

9. In combination, a gyroscopic rotor, a frame in-which said rotorwisrotatably mounted. a supporting member and a bearing between said frameand member, said bearing comprising a plurality of angularly disposedpointed elements havi nr. their apices substantially on the saidbearing.

In testimony whereof I have-affixed my pivotal line of signature.

ELMER A. SPERRY. JR.

